Today’s Internet Retailing newsletter is packed with the latest news from leading UK ecommerce and multichannel retailers. One thread running through a number of stories is the way that retailers are starting to adjust the fulfilment service they offer in the light of the sheer popularity of click and collect. Halfords and Sports Direct both report this week that the service is a key factor in their ecommerce growth, and in recent days, Tesco has become the latest retailer to raise the threshold for free click and collect. An interesting perspective comes from Sports Direct which says charging £4.99 for the service has been no barrier to its fast take-up.
That meshes with another theme that emerged in June IMRG sales figures: multichannel retailers offering services such as click and collect were the prime beneficiaries as consumers flocked online to buy. Burberry, too, says multichannel retailing has underpinned the 8% boost from its latest sales figures, while cross channel retailer Dixons Carphone this week also reported growth.
But Amazon proves the exception to the rule, showing that pureplay online businesses can still make the running: it says its Prime Day members-only sale overtook Black Friday for the quantity of goods sold.
Today we have the latest update from the Internet Retailing Conference 2015, while today’s guest comment comes from Ian Horsham of The Grass Roots Group on why brands must promote long-term customer loyalty in order to stay ahead.
Our webinars
Click to visit the Internet Retailing webinars page to catch up on any that you may have missed.
The Internet Retailing Awards
The Internet Retailing Retailing Awards will be held on September 24 at the Mandarin Oriental, London. Nominations are now open – click here to nominate your own company or one whose work you admire, and tickets are now available to buy.
The Internet Retailing Conference
This week we have new speakers to unveil for the tenth annual Internet Retailing Conference, to be held in the Novotel Hammersmith, London, hotel on October 14. Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, member of the board and executive director – marketing & International at Marks and Spencer will be a keynote speaker. Also joining the line up are David Lindsay, senior vice president – technology at Farfetch.com and Aaron Chatterley, founder of Feelunique. Find out more about the line-up and about details including how to buy tickets on the Internet Retailing Conference website.
Our research reports
Our research editors research and produce regular reports on pertinent ecommerce issues. The latest, on Conversion Rate Optimisation, comes from Liz Morrell who explains here why this is a must-read report. Click on the links too to download your free copies of the Seasonal Commerce Report and Customer Experience Report.
